Callaway C16 Speedster

Based on the C6 Corvette, the Callaway doesn’t just improve on the mighty sports car, it leaves it for dead, says Pat Devereux

Based on a C6 Chevrolet Corvette - America's 186mph two-seater sports car - the supercharged 700bhp C16 Speedster looks fast because it is. Very. At the last count 210mph was the most anyone had seen on the clock. The chances are, it could have gone even faster.

Callaway, the Connecticut tuning company, has a long, petrol-soaked history of exceeding all normal motoring parameters. Built more as adverts for the firm's racing and engineering businesses, the cars it turns out are some of the fastest in the world.

Back in 1988, well before the Veyron was even a twinkle in Bugatti's eye, Callaway turned out an 898bhp Vette monster nicknamed Sledgehammer that topped 254mph. So, adding a few more mph to the Speedster's 210 probably wouldn't be an issue.

Whether or not that would be wise is less certain. With no more wind protection than a couple of tiny fly-screens, the Speedster is